Study: Nearly half of couples on Netflix admit to ‘cheating’

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LOS GATOS, Calif. — You start watching a series on Netflix with your significant other and you’re both really into it. But then they’re not home and the temptation is just too strong. You can’t stop yourself. And according to a study, you’re not alone.

Netflix cheating — watching a TV show ahead of your significant other — became a recognized phenomenon in 2013. Since then, the number of people who admit to not waiting for their partner has tripled.

“The most cheaters are in Brazil and Mexico where 57 percent and 58 percent of streaming couples have cheated, respectively,” the study said. “The most loyal viewers are in Netherlands (73 percent have not cheated), Germany (65 percent) and Poland (60 percent).”

The study, which focused primarily on viewers in Canada, identified the top 10 the most irresistible shows: “The Walking Dead,” “Breaking Bad,” “Orange is the New Black,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Bates Motel,” “Stranger Things,” “Gilmore Girls,” “House of Cards,” “Narcos” and “The 100.”

Most Canadians surveyed said they didn’t plan to cheat; it just happened. But whether your partner is likely to forgive you varies greatly.

In Hong Kong, 40 percent of the people surveyed feel watching ahead of your partner is worse than infidelity.

On the other end of the spectrum, Canadians are remarkably forgiving, with 57 percent saying it’s “not bad at all,” according to the study.